Review: 2002 Saturn LW300 Wagon

By Carey Russ
The ``different kind of car company'' has quietly been expanding
its lineup in the past couple of years. After almost a decade of
exclusively selling small sedans, wagons, and coupes, Saturn added
the mid-sized L-Series sedans and wagons in the 2000 model year.
And it now has its very own, and very Saturn, SUV, the VUE. This
is good - it keeps existing Saturn owners as customers when they
need something larger, and new vehicles can attract totally new
potential customers, who never would have considered a small car,
as well.
I first met the L-Series when it was introduced to the press
almost three years ago. At that time, I was pleasantly surprised to
find cars that were a step up from the existing small Saturn not only
in size, but in comfort and refinement, too. And this is not to cast
disparagement on the small Saturns, as they have benefited from
continuous development, making them very competitive in their
class. With its lineup of four-cylinder and V6 sedans and wagons,
the Saturn L-Series fits well into the mid-sized class. Continuous
improvements have been made to the L-Series since its
introduction, and 2002 sees standard head curtain air bags, antilock
brakes, traction control, and automatic headlights, with upgraded
options including a six-disc in-dash CD changer, automatic climate
control, the ``OnStar'' telematics system, and even a limited-edition
top-of-the-line LW300 model with almost all options as standard
equipment and a DVD rear-seat entertainment system.
One of the special edition LW300s has been my transportation
for the past week. I was initially a little skeptical,

after all ``luxury,'' ``power,'' and ``Saturn''

are not often used in the same sentence. But in this case, believe it.

In most parameters, it compares well to more expensive cars with more expensive brand names,

and even more favorably to entries in the middle-class midsize market
segment. The regular V6-powered LW300 should be functionally
identical, and can be outfitted to a similar level. Since not everyone
who wants something roomier than a sedan wants a minivan or
SUV, wagons are beginning to make a comeback. The Saturn LW
should help both the wagon cause and Saturn's.
APPEARANCE: Although the large Saturns share no body panels
with their smaller relatives, they are unmistakably Saturns. The
rounded front with prominent low, wide, pointed headlights and a
small, simple grille gives a definite Saturn face, with curved front
marker lights reinforcing the look. Sedans and wagons share all
bodywork from the windshield forward, and have doors, front
fenders, and bumper caps made of dent and ding-resistant plastic.
The LW wagon has a simple, rounded two-box shape and a very
European monochrome finish with a chrome accent strip below the
side windows. The LW300 special edition comes only in black with
chromed alloy wheels.
COMFORT: The Saturn L-Series has a contemporary,
cosmopolitan interior design that is very different from that of the
S-Series, and helps make the car look more expensive than it
actually is. With its leather seats, heated in front, the well-equipped
special edition LW300 borders on luxury. The two-tone interior
color scheme, flowingly-sculpted instrument panel, and switchgear
out of the Opel catalog with window lifts in the central console
gives it a European ambiance. The front bucket seats provide good
comfort and support, while the rear bench is contoured for real
human bodies and wide enough to fit three people reasonably, or
two with very good space. The rear seat folds 60/40 for those times
when the regular cargo area isn't enough. Otherwise, a cargo shade
hides things in the cargo area from inquisitive eyes. The DVD
entertainment system is similar to those used in minivans and SUVs,
and includes headphones for rear passengers so they can listen to
something other than the front-seat program, or watch a movie.
The DVD unit is placed on the console, with access from the front,
and includes RCA jacks allowing attachment of a camcorder or
video game console. The LCD screen folds from the ceiling behind
the front seats.
SAFETY: All Saturn L-Series models have chassis construction
with a strong central safety cage designed to protect occupants, and
front and rear crush zones. Head curtain air bags, antilock brakes,
and traction control are standard on all models.
ROADABILITY: A large part of the Saturn LW300's European
feeling can be traced to its chassis setup. The rigid Saturn space
frame provides a solid anchorage for its fully-independent
MacPherson strut front, multilink rear suspension. Compliant, well-
matched spring and shock rates give it a not-too-soft, not-too-firm
ride that offers very good comfort, much better handling than
expected from a wagon, and quick recovery from road
irregularities. Because of this, the LW300 feels like a contemporary
European wagon, not a traditional American model.
PERFORMANCE: If its suspension has a European accent, the
LW300's modern overhead cam 3.0-liter V6 is tuned for good old
all-American low-end torque, all the better to deal with everyday
driving. Its torque peaks with 190 lb-ft at a convenient 3600 rpm,
with plenty below that. 182 horsepower is developed at 5600 rpm
There is no shortage of power for acceleration, and four-wheel
antilock disc brakes ensure quick stops.. The four-speed automatic
transmission has well-chosen ratios and shifts with almost
imperceptible smoothness, adding to the LW300's near-luxury feel
with no real detriment to fuel economy. I saw almost 24 mpg in
mixed city, highway, and secondary-road driving.
CONCLUSIONS: Luxury and power in a Saturn? Absolutely,
especially if the Saturn in question is the LW300.
SPECIFICATIONS
2002 Saturn LW300 Wagon
Base Price $ 22,350
Price As Tested $ 26,200
Engine Type dual overhead cam 24-valve V6
Engine Size 3.0 liters / 183 cu. in.
Horsepower 182 @ 5600 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 190 @ 3600 rpm
Transmission 4-speed electronically-controlled
automatic
Wheelbase / Length 106.5 in. / 190.4 in.
Curb Weight 3272 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 18.0
Fuel Capacity 15.7 gal.
Fuel Requirement 87 octane unleaded regular
Tires P215/55 HR16 Firestone Firehawk GTA
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc,
antilock standard
Suspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut /
independent multilink
Drivetrain front engine, front-wheel drive
PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 21 / 29 / 24
0 to 60 mph est. 8.7 sec
OPTIONS AND CHARGES
DVD Entertainment package - includes: power driver's seat,
leather appointments, 16-inch chromed wheels, fog lamps,
AM/FM/6-disc CD/cassette, DVD system, advanced audio
system, 50-state low emissions, black exterior with
grey leather $ 3,350
Delivery charge $500